Conflict or Cooperation? The Implications of China’s New Fishing Regulations

The new Chinese fishing regulations, which were passed by the Hainan province in 2013 and went into effect in 2014, has exemplified the growing assertiveness of China and intensified the heated South China Sea disputes. The South China Sea has been a productive fishing ground and full of aquaculture resources. Nonetheless, in recent years, fishing in the area has become a politically sensitive topic due to the geopolitical tensions and security concerns among the claimant states. This article intends to provide an analytical review of the current fight for fishing rights in the South China Sea and to offer possible solutions. The article argues that solving fishing disputes through multilateral cooperation, rather than unilateral actions, in the South China Sea is an urgent task and a win-win solution. First, the article attempts to analyse the new Chinese fishing regulations and the impact on future multilateral cooperation in the South China Sea within the context of the 1982 UNCLOS and international law. It further looks into the implications of the burgeoning Asian economic integration for future joint actions to conserve and manage marine resources in the area. Lastly, the article explains Taiwan’s position in current South China Sea disputes and explores Taiwan’s role in shaping a multilateral fishery management scheme in these disputed waters.